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The Olive Oil Culture

The influence of olive oil in the lives of the people of the Hellenic region covers a wide spectrum over the years.

The origin of the olive tree in mythology

In Greek mythology the value of olive oil, became significant from the time Poseidon, the god of the sea and Athena, the goddess of wisdom and the arts, competed against each other over the name of the city.
It was on the hill of the Acropolis in the presence of the other ten gods and king Kekropas. The one who would present the most valuable gift to the people would win. First Poseidon struck the earth with his trident and produced seawater and a white horse. Then Athena tapped the Athenian ground and the first olive tree appeared. This was considered to be the most valuable gift, so the city took its name after the goddess Athena.
Since then in the vicinity of Attica, with its mild climate and proximity to sea water the olive tree prospered.

​​​​​​​The Sacred Olive Tree situated by the north side of the Erechtheion on the Acropolis of Athens. Its position is traced back to the legendary spot, where Athena first planted it. In the words of Pausanias, it sprouted a new branch four feet long, the day after the Persians burned the Acropolis in 480 BC and every time an invader cut it down, a sprig was saved and replanted. The most recent replanting was in 1942.

The olive in ancient sport games

In the Panathenian games, in honour of Athena, the prize was olive oil placed in the amphoras of the winner and it is said that it lasted for a whole year to feed his entire family. (Photo di amphora)

Hercules was said to have planted a wild olive tree in Olympia to use its branches as a wreath, kotinos, placed on the head of the winners of the Olympic games.

Olive as symbol of peace

The ‘iketes’, outlaws begging for forgiveness, took refuge to the altar of the gods, holding an olive branch. Also during war, the messengers requesting truce, held the olive branch, symbol of peace.

Olive value in medicine

Hippocrates used olive oil as cure for at least 60 ailments and he called oil ‘the great healer’.

From that time the olive tree and olive oil, played a large part in the lives of the people. Its importance, due to its dietary and purifying benefits, grew and expanded throughout the whole Mediterranean coastline countries.

The olive in cultural exchange and economy

It is both in mythology and scientifically proven by archaeological findings that the very core of olive oil trade commodities and cultural exchange was in the Peloponnese, the islands, Crete and Santorini, where we have numerous findings of ancient coins depicting the olive.

That explains why it is the general feeling in Greece that here, is the cradle of the Mediterranean diet.

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